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IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR NEED BASED & MERIT RECIPIENTS 2008-2009

Outside Awards and Resources

In accepting any or all of the aid awarded, you agree to advise us in writing of the source and amount of any other assistance you receive for the academic year that does not appear on your Award Notification. This would include merit or need based scholarships, grants, athletic grants, tuition awards, employee benefits, ROTC awards, co-op sponsor payments, etc., whether from GW or from an external source.

If you are receiving only merit aid, the combined total of all of your awards which are designated for tuition cannot exceed the cost of tuition. Some awards are not specifically designated for tuition and can be used for education-related expenses of room, board, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. The combination of these and your tuition-designated awards cannot exceed the amount of GW’s 2008-2009 estimated expenses as listed in this booklet. If necessary, our institutional awards will be reduced to assure compliance. Students who receive tuition benefits should decline their University merit awards.

If you are receiving need based aid, both federal and institutional policies require us to adjust your aid when we learn of additional resources. The amount of additional aid will first be applied to any unmet need. Next, we will reduce your Work-Study and/or Perkins Loan amount, followed by Stafford Loan referrals and/or need based gift aid. Unfortunately, outside resources cannot reduce the family contribution.

Distance Education

The processing of aid for students enrolled in Distance Education (DE) programs is based on current federal regulations. The cost of attendance components for DE students includes tuition, fees, books, and supplies (living expenses are not included). A student enrolled in one of the DE programs is not eligible for University grants and/or scholarships.

Payment of Aid/Billing

Except for Federal Work-Study, loans, and outside scholarships, aid administered by the Office of Student Financial Assistance is usually applied automatically to your student account at the beginning of each semester. The following awards are deducted from your bill: University scholarships and grants, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Pell Grant, and Federal SEOG. Other aid, such as state grants, Federal Stafford Loans, and private scholarships and loans cannot be credited to your account until the funds are received. Federal Work-Study funds are not applied to your account; they are paid to you as wages based on the number of hours you have worked.

To ensure that aid is disbursed in a timely manner, be sure to accept your award, submit all necessary documents, and register for the required number of credit hours for your awards. Failure to do so can result in the delay of financial aid payment.

The GW Office of Student Accounts is responsible for all student billing. Bills are sent to the address you specify when you register for classes. They are mailed in July for the fall semester and in December for the spring semester for those who have completed registration prior to those dates.

For questions about billing, please call the Office of Student Accounts at (202) 994-7350.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress to receive and retain financial aid. Grade point average (GPA) and credit hour requirements vary depending on the type of aid a student is receiving; generally merit recipients are expected to maintain an overall B average. Note that federal regulations require a minimum 2.0 GPA and 12 credit hours per semester for full-time attendance. In addition, federal regulations now mandate that federal financial aid may not be extended to any undergraduate student who takes longer than 150% of the published length of his or her program of study. GW need based grants follow the federal guidelines.

In meeting the number of credits required for an award, you may take courses on a pass/fail or credit/non-credit basis. Audited courses do not count toward the minimum credit requirement; nor do fitness and sports activities, Freshman Advising Workshops, and ROTC classes which do not count toward graduation requirements. For more information, refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements for Financial Aid Recipients file, available online.

Emergency Loans

The University Student Emergency Loan Fund (USELF) is available during the fall and spring semesters to help students with unexpected personal expenses.

Applications are accepted in Colonial Central between 8:30am and 7:00pm Mondays through Thursdays and between 8:30am and 5pm Fridays, from the first day of class each semester to the last day of classes. Students must be at least half-time and can borrow up to $600 per semester.

Please note: Emergency loans are available only for the fall and spring semesters.

Study Abroad

Students who plan to study abroad during the academic year should notify the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) and complete an information sheet.

Students enrolled full time in approved programs will pay The George Washington University on-campus charges. All aid will be paid while on an approved study abroad program. Non-approved study abroad programs will be eligible for Stafford, PLUS and alternative loans only. Students should provide our office with a notarized statement designating a power of attorney to sign Stafford Loan checks while they are abroad and make arrangements with OSFA to sign the Perkins promissory note prior to leaving the country.